Zen Meditation For All

We maintain a simple, traditional meditation setup with a small altar with candle and incense (won't light it if there are people with sensitivities); with cushions and mats; with the sounding of traditional percussion instruments calling the participants to gather, to lead the chanting, and signal aspects of the short walking meditation between each of two silent, 25-minute sitting meditations. Sitting is marked with the gong. Our ritual observations make it possible for those who participate with us to also participate in other zen sitting venues with a sense of knowing what to do in the Soto Zen tradition. We do not teach the Dharma, although we sometimes share a story from Buddhist teaching, or recommend books to each other or to newcomers.

Unusual for UUs, it is our practice to start exactly on time, and we encourage arrival well before the sitting begins at 7pm.